Garment blocking form



Ja n.5, 1943. M. a YBU'RWELL 2,307,256

GARMENT BLOCKING FORM Filed 0a. 14, 194p 2 Sheets- 811602 1 .lYtUyEtizab m Burn elk, 1N VENT OR.

Jan. '5, 1943. v QE, BUR ELL 2,307,256 1 eAnMnT'BLocxmc FORM- Filed Oct14, 1940 2 sheets sheet 2 17/01 llizdbeth, Bur-new INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PArsr GABMENT BLOCKING FORM MaryElizabeth Burwell, Denver, 0010. Application October 14, 1940, SerialNo. 361,050

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to knock-down blocking forms for womensgarments which require shaping during the drying thereof after washingor shaping after dry cleaning, and more particularly to a form of thegeneral type dis: closed in my Patent Number 2,213,975, grantedSeptember 10, 1940, whose ready adaptability to one or two piecegarments is also a feature of the present invention.

The present garment form, while retaining the features of advantageinherent in my patented construction,

embodies many improvements thereover and over other known garment forms,with the primary purpose in mind to render the form more practical andsatisfactory, not only from the standpoint of users among the generalpublic, but also among the workers in laundries, cleaning establishmentsand the like, where -many such garment forms may be in constant -bebetter understood and more fully appreciated by a consideration of thefollowing description in detail, and by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the waist section of the improvedgarment form, showing one sleeve form removed as in the placing of thegarment on the form.

' Figure 1a is a similar View of the sleeve form removed from the waistform of Figure 1.

Figure 2 is an enlargeddetail perspective View of one of the adjustabletelescoping tube connections used at various points in the connectionsof the several portions of the garment form, showing the catch released.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the parts of 'Figure 2 showing the catchengaged.

Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged detail perspective views complementary toone another and respectively showing an under-arm side portion of thewaist form with its keeper, and a portion of the respective sleeve formwith its spring catch for engaging the keeper.

' Figure 6 is a front elevation of the skirt form icomplete.

Figure 7 is an'enlarged detail perspective view of the connectorassociated with the skirt form for connecting the same in readilydetachable relation to the waist form in the blocking of onepiecegarments, and

Figure 8 is a similar view of one of the clasping hangers with which thewaist and skirt forms are each equipped to insure against accidentaldisplacement from drying frames.

Referring now to the above figures and initially to the waist form ofFigures 1, 1a,, 4 and 5, it may be said to consist generally of acentral vertical brace from which cross arms extend at approximately theunder arm andwaist lines of a garment, together with a lower cross armwhereby the lower portions of a blouse may be either flared or left likethe waist line. It also includes two sleeve forms, each of which isreadily attachable to, and removable from, the body portion of the waistform and, like the latter, includes certain sections of a readilyflexible nature. These flexible sections'I have shown in the nature ofcoiled springs, the coils of which are normally in contact with oneanother, which lend themselves readily to substantially permanentconnection at their ends, by brazing, welding, soldering, screwing, andthe like, to the ends of more rigid tubular members which make up theremaining portions of the forms. In terming these sections or members Ido not, however, desire to be limited to coiled springs, as in someinstances I may desire to utilize other suitably bodied flexible tubingin place of the springs.

In any event, the above mentioned sections,portions or members;hereinafter termed flexible, are intended to be substantially moreflexible and adaptable to ready yielding, bending, and shaping than theremaining tubular sections, portions, or members formed of substantiallyimperforate or rigid tubing, which may be of metal or any plastic orlike material suitable for the purpose.

The central vertical brace of the waist form includes an upper tubularmember 25 whose lower end telescopes the upstanding arm of a four-armedfitting 26 and whose upper end carries a horizontal cross piece or neckbar 21 having at its outer ends downwardly and outwardly curvedextensions 21a for the reception of flexible shoulder members 23.

On the horizontal arms of the fitting 26 are telescoped the inner endsof 'two oppositely,.outwardly projecting bust tubes 29 which togetherform the under-arm cross arm, each having at its outer end a shortdepending angular extension 30 to the lower end of which a flexible tube3| is connectedt'o freely depend.therefrom.. Thus each tube 29 with itsnipple 30 forms a right angle, and, as seen in Figure 4, each tube 29has an upwardly opening aperture l3 and a laterally opening aperture 4,for a purpose which will presently appear.

The lower arm of fitting 26 receives in telescoping relation thereon theupper end of a lower tubular member 32. Member 32 has in termediate itsends laterally oppositely outstanding tubes 33 on which are telescopedwaist line tubes 34 having at their outer ends rings 35 movablyencircling the flexible side members 36, into the upper portions ofwhich the flexible tubes 3| freely depend.

The lower end of the lower tubular member 32 telescopes a tube 31 havingat its lower end lateral branches 38. On these branches flexible tubes40 are connected by means, of nipples 39. The outer ends of tubes 40 areconnected to angles 4| to which are also connected the lower ends of theflexible side members 36.

There are thus provided points of adjustment for increasing the waistform lengthwise and crosswise, at the four arms of the fitting 26, thetwo lateral branches 33 of the lower tubular member 32, and at tube 31and its two lateral branches 38. At each of these points of adjustmentthe inner and outer tubes are provided with the same adjustment means asshown in Figures 2 and 3. This is also true of the upper nipples 42 ofthe flexible side members 36, which nipples are adjustable on thedepending angular extensions 30 of the bust tubes 29.

In Figures 2 and 3 I have shown a typical adjustable connection Awherein the inner telescoping tube is provided with a lengthwise groove6, in which, at equidistant, measured, and preferably calibrated points,are circular indentations or recesses 5 to receive a ball-likeprojection 4 on the free end of a spring arm 3. This spring arm 3 isfixed at its opposite end in connection with a band around the outertelescoping tube remote from its end. The projection 4 is disposed toextend through an opening in the wall of the outer tube so as to ride inthe groove 6 and drop into the successive recesses 5, from which it isreadily yieldable except when a locking collar 2, which slidablysurrounds the outer tube and spring arm 3, is shifted to the free end ofthe spring. The released position of collar 2 is shown in Figure 2 andthe locked position thereof is shown in Figure 3. It will be understoodthat an adjustable connection A of this character is used whenever soindicated in the other figures.

With the body of the waist form, which is thus adjustable as to allmeasurements both lengthwise and crosswise, two sleeve forms areutilized. Each of these sleeve forms consists of two oppositely disposedrelatively adjustable U-shaped sections, the side bars or members 43 ofthe lower outer section partially telescoping into the side bars ormembers 44 of the upper inner section with connecting adjustments A. Theouter cross piece preferably has a short flexible section 45 thereinfacilitating the changing angle of its side members 43 in lengthwiseadjustment of the sleeve form.

Moreover, the upper inner section of each sleeve form has at its inneror shoulder crossbar telescopingly adjustable tubes 46 and 41, with anadjustable connection A, and the latter of which has, at the outer sideof the sleeve form, a ring 48, movably encircling its flexible shouldermember 28. The member 28 extends from the outer side member 44 while thetube 46 forms a rigid angle with the inner side member 44 and at thisangle is a laterally projecting spring catch l5 shown in Figure 5.

The spring catch of Figure 5 is adapted to enter the laterally openingaperture I4 of the body section, previously mentioned, and has anupstanding projection |6 which, when the free end 11 is pressed towardtube 46, may move inwardly through aperture I4 and extend into aperture|3 to thus releasably connect the sleeve form to the waist body. Eachsleeve form may thus be readily attached to its respective side of thewaist form body by thus attaching the spring catch and adjustablyassociating the free end of the flexible shoulder member 28 with theneck extension 27a. The spring catch |5 serves to hold the sleeve format an angle with respect to the waist body and thus adjustment of theconnection A at the upper end of the flexible shoulder member 28 servesto regulate its curvature in use.

Referring now to Figure 6, the skirt form includes a central lengthwisebrace consisting of an elongated tubular brace member 50 having at anapproximately central point lateral branches 5|. Similar lateralbranches 52 at the upper end of brace 50 form a curved waist line barupon which are telescopingly adjustable waist line tubes 53 havingangular extensions 54 at their outer ends. These tubes are adjustablyconnected to bars 52 by connections A, and to their outer angularextensions 54 are connected the upper ends of flexible side or hipmembers 55. The lower ends of these flexible side or hip members areattached to the upper ends of side tubes 56, in which are twotelescoping tubes 51 and 58, both controlled by connections A, and theinner tubes 58 having angular inward extensions 59.

The lower portion of the tubular central brace 50 is likewise telescopedby two inner adjusting tubes 60 and 6|, the inner tube 6| having at itslower end curved lateral branches 62 forming a curved hem piece ormember whose opposite outstanding portions adjustably telescope withinflexible tubes or members 64 with nipples bearing adjustable connectionsA at their inner ends and with their outer ends fixed to the angularextensions 59. Thus the curved tubular hem pieces 62 and flexible tubes64 cooperate to form a flexible hem portion for the skirt frame, whosecurvature may be controlled to coincide with the varying curvature ofthe hem portion of skirts of varying flares. For this control, thecentral brace is lengthwise adjusted relative to the side members of theskirt frame.

Hip braces or cross arms 65 are formed by tubes telescoping on theintermediate lateral branches 5| of the central brace 59 with adjustableconnections A at their inner ends and with rings 66 at their outer endsaround the lower portions of the flexible side members 55. Thus theskirt form is laterally adjustable at the waist, hem, and intermediateportions, with respect to the central brace, to given measurements,adjustment of the intermediate cross arms controlling the shaping of thehip portions of a garment thereon. Adjustment of the same as to lengththereof and curvature of the hem or lower bar has been referred to.

In the skirt form especially the operation of connections A is verydesirable. The pressure of projection 4 against the inner tube when thecatch is engaged has the effect of pressing the inner tube against theopposite side wall of the i'outer tube, which presents a relativelysmooth "surface to the garment which is stretched thereon, and touchingthe side of the tube opposite to the fastener.

To attach the skirt form in overlapped relation 'at its waist portion tothe waist form, a split tubular clip or clasp l9 may be engaged with theupper portion of the central skirt brace 50.

This clasp, as best seen in Figure 7, has exteriorly thereof a series ofsplit clasping rings l8 engageable with the lower portion of the lowercentral tubular member 32 of the waist form below the lateral extensions33 thereof, to thus detachably hold the waist and skirt forms togetheras a unit of accidental displacement from thehanger bar after theclasping hanger is once engaged over the bar. Accidental soiling ofgarments during drying, especially during hanging thereof on the racksand bars, may thus be avoided.

The upper portions of the two complementary clasping members 22 and 220.are bridged by a split tubular spring 2! urging the member 22a towardthe member 22, and this spring is slotted to receive therethrough theupstanding oppositely inclined wing-shaped finger pieces 20 of claspingmembers 22 and 22a which are oppositely, outwardly inclined. Thus whenfinger pieces 20 are pressed toward one another, the movable claspingmember 22a will be shifted away from clasping member 22 against thetension of spring 2| to open position for disposition on, or removalfrom, I

a hanger or rack bar. When the finger pieces 20 are released, spring 2|urges the movable member 22a. toward the stationary member 22 to activeclasping position.

The dress form of the present invention may be readily assembled, bothas to the waist and skirt sections, and easily adjusted to various sizesand shapes of garments throughout a long range of such sizes or shapes,and it is believed to be plain that, in the present construction, all ofthe advantages of my patented form are present along with manyadvantages which the patented structure does not afford in respect tostrength, durability, ease of handling and such other respects as areparticularly important in connection with its commercial use inlaundries, cleaning establishments and the like.

While it is not believed necessary to set forth in detail the precisemanner of use which will vary to some extent to suit the personalpreference of the operator or user, it may be said in general that, asto the waist form, the entire frame is set up by its various adjustableconnections A to measurements before the garment, to be dried, is placedthereon. All points of adiustment are locked to show the desiredmeasurements on the calibrated tubes. The bust is widened or narrowed asdesired, the waist line regulated, and the lower portion of the framewidened to shape the flare of the hip portion of a blouse, or left likethe waist line, for example, if a sweater has a tight band at the bottomthereof.

The sleeve forms are not joined until after the garment has been placedon the waist form body, and are then put inside the garment, the upperends of the flexible shoulder member are adjustably disposed on the neckextensions, and the spring catch it is inserted in the apertures l3 andM to thus hold the sleeves while the shoulder members are adjusted tothe style of the garment.

With the skirt form, its adjustments are all first set and locked beforethe garment is drawn over the same, and when satisfactory as to lateraland lengthwise adjustment, the garment, engaged at the waist line, isthen pulled down smoothly over the adjustably curved hem bar, and ifproperly fitted and not too wet, it will be found that the garment willstay as stretched, since all of the adjustments A are placed so thatthey are within the frames of the forms and do not touch the garment.

Having thus fully described the present invention, what is claimed is:

l. A garment blocking form including a waist or blouse section having alaterally elongatable cross brace approximately at the bust line, theends of which define the underarm points, a, longitudinally extensiblemember rising centrally above said cross brace and having upper lateralextensions, sleeve forms, each having a detachable connection at theinner portion of its upper end with one end of said cross brace,supporting the sleeve form in definite angular relation to the crossbrace, and flexible shoulder members connected at the lower ends thereofto the outer portions of the upper ends of the sleeve forms and inadjustable detachable engagement at the upper ends thereof with theupper lateral extensions of the longitudinally extensible member, saidshoulder members being free of connection, intermediate the endsthereof, with the arment form, and being formed of freely flexible coilsprings having closely contacting convolutions for readily assumingdifferent curvatures by adjustment of their upper ends and by adjustmentof the longitudinally and laterally extensible members.

2. A garment blocking form including a waist or blouse section having alaterally elongatable cross brace approximately at the bust line, theends of which define the underarm points, a longitudinally extensiblemember rising centrally above saidcross brace and having upper lateralextensions, sleeve forms, each having a detachable connection at theinner portion of its upper end with one end of said cross brace,supporting the sleeve form in definite angular relation to the crossbrace, and a flexible tubular member extending from the outer portion ofthe upper end of the sleeve form and having its upper end adjustablytelescoping one of said upper extensions for forming an adiustablycurved shoulder each of said flexible members consisting of a coilspring, the convolutions of which are in closely contacting relation.

3. A garment blocking form including a waist or blouse section having alaterally elongatable cross brace approximately at the bust line, alongitudinal brace member having lengthwise extendable portionscentrally above and below the said cross brace, a cross member at thewaist line having laterally extendable portions at opposite sides of thelongitudinal brace member and spaced below the cross brace, a crossmember spaced below the waist member and including laterally extendableportions at opposite sides of the lower end of the longitudinal bracemember, and flexible side members consisting of flexible tubes risingfrom the outer end portions of said lower cross member, and similarsmaller flexible tubes depending from the outer end portions of the bustline cross brace into the rising tubes, each of said flexible tubesconsisting of a coil spring having closely contacting convolutions, andthe waist line cross member having at its outer end portions guide meansthrough which said flexible side members are movably disposedintermediate the upper and lower ends thereof.

4. A garment blocking form including a waist or blouse section having alaterally elongatable cross brace approximately at the bust line, alongitudinal brace member having lengthwise extendable portionscentrally above and below the said cross brace, a cross member'at thewaist line having laterally extendable portions at opposite sides of thelongitudinal brace member and spaced below the cross brace, a crossmember spaced below the waist member and including laterally extendableportions at opposite sides of the lower end of the longitudinal bracemember, flexible tubular side members consisting of coil springs risingfrom the ends of said last named cross member and loosely through endportions of the waist member, and depending flexible extensionsconsisting of coil springs carried by the ends of the cross bracetelescoping within the said flexible side members and movable relativethereto for elongation of the side members.

5. A garment blocking form including a waist section and a skirtsection, each having a longitudinal central brace member, and eachincluding a portion overlapping a portion of the other in their conjointuse for drying a one piece dress, and a single fastener for holding thesections together in such use including a clasping member carried by thelongitudinal brace of one section and engageable with the longitudinalbrace of the other section.

6. A garment blocking form including a waist section and a skirtsection, each having a longitudinal central brace member, and eachincluding a portion overlapping a portion of the other in their conjointuse for drying at one piece dress, and a single fastener for holding thesections together such use including a clasping member having portionsdetachably engageable with the said longitudinal brace members, whenoverlapped, along a substantial lengthwise portion of the said membersto thus prevent angular movement of one section relative to the other.

7. A garment blocking form including a skirt section having alongitudinal brace member and a cross brace intermediate the ends of thelongitudinal brace and including laterally extendable portions atopposite sides of said longitudinal brace, cross members locatedadjacent to the uppar and lower ends of the longitudinal bracerespectively at the waist and hem lines, and each including laterallyextendable side portions, and side members rising from the ends of saidhem member including telescoping adjustable lower portions and readilyflexible upper portions consisting of coil springs having closelycontacting convolutions movably extending through end portions of theintermediate cross brace and in connection'at their upper ends with theadjustable end portions of the waist member.

8. A garment blocking form including a skirt section having a lengthwisecentral brace, cross members at the top, bottom, and an intermediatepoint of said lengthwise brace, each including laterally extendableportions at opposite sides of the lengthwise brace, side members inconnection at their lower ends with the end of the lower cross memberand including readily flexible portions, consisting of coil springshaving closely contacting convolutions, extending movably through theend portions of the intermediate cross member and in connection at theupper ends thereof with the upper cross members, the

central brace and the lower portions of said side members havingtelescopingly adjustable portions below the intermediate cross member,and each of the laterally extendable portions of the lower cross memberincluding a flexible portion consisting of a coil spring having closelycontacting convolutions, whereby the curvature of said lower crossmember may be definitely controlled by the adjustment of the sidemembers and the central brace.

MARY ELIZABETH BU'RWELL.

